How come NADA says a 2003 Sporty is worth 3500 tops, but everyone's asking 6500 at the bottom?

I'm just curious who sets the prices on these bikes. According to the "price guide", almost all motorcycles are worth less than what anyone is asking for them. What gives? When are you sellers gonna start offering fair prices to poor folk like me?|||If people don't buy 8 year old bikes for 75% of their original value then they will no longer be worth that much. It's not really the sellers fault, it's the fault of people before you willing to pay ridiculous prices for used stuff.|||NADA is almost never accurate.





The biggest problem with a 2003 Sportster is that the improvements in the '04 and later bikes make them a much better motorcycle. It has driven down prices on the older machines. At $6,500 you will never sell it. In '03 the base Sportster wasn't even $6,000 MSRP.





In the spring when the weather starts to get warm, you should be able to get $4,000-$4,500 for it depending on miles, condition, and your location. That's what they seem to be selling for around here.|||The depreciation factor versus the ego factor.


Most buyers don't realize that you can buy a vehicle for $15,000 drive it off the sales yard and turn around and be offered only $10,000 for it.


And to compound that think about that oil change that you did to it a year ago, got to be worth something, don't you think!?!|||Motorcycle prices are regional and seasonal. Also asking and selling are two different things. I think you are foolish to spend good money on non performing butt jewelry. But with cash in hand and a little legwork you should easily be able to get a deal even lower than that $3500.|||Because the first A = Automotive.


Cars and light duty trucks.


NOT motorcycles.





Fair price is set by the market, never by a car book.


Heck, fair price for cars....I've NEVER paid book.


Poor folk like me buy used, get another manual, and invest a little at a time by buying parts.


We make ourselves lucky by buying the parts needed to ride first, the pretty stuff later (if ever).|||You should have no problem picking up a 2003 for $4k if you are willing to go 100-200 miles to get it.





Shoot, at that price you will not lose money if you need to sell it a little later. Almost any running Sportster in good condition will not sell for less than $3k.|||Straight up Supply and demand--Orig sale price of a Knuckle was about $600 to $800 but I wouldnt rush out and start making offers.